Best Eye Doctor Places in Area? (Falls Church, Gainesville: sales, eyeglasses, insurance)

[mikecart1]

In recent years I have gone the online route to get eyeglasses. But I got pretty good insurance now (always had insurance but online is obviously cheaper) but wanted to try out some designer frames and see what is out there in person. What do you all recommend?

In my insurance plan and in this area, I see Hour Eyes and My Eye Dr. mostly. Never tried either. Back in the day I used to use LensCrafters but my insurance doesn't appear to cover them. From reviews, I see both Hour Eyes and My Eye Dr. are mostly poor reviews.

Any advice or recommendations? I want a place that is reliable with a wide range of glasses and designer frames and the ability to pick up glasses in a reasonable time. Most complaints I've read is when sales staff is rude or glasses don't come for weeks.

Thanks!

[mikecart1]

Just saw a Yelp review of Sirius Eye Care and Dr Wong. 5 stars for every review. Anyone with experience with this place? Hard to argue it can be worse than the reviews other eyeglass places got.

[HEATHER72]

Where are you located? I've been to My Eye Doctor in Gainesville. The first and last time. Their pricing is confusing and they are quite pushy about selling you glasses, contacts, the moon... you know what I mean.

[themommy]

I've always seen an independent ophthalmologist (as in, an independent medical practice not associated with an eyewear store). Not that you need to go that route. But can't you go to any eye doctor you like then have the prescription filled at any eyewear store?

[mikecart1]

Hi. I have my prescription already that I have used to get various glasses from Zenni. I have a couple of glasses for regular wear, couple of sunglasses, and goggles for contact sports. I was kind of interested in getting some designer frames though and Zenni doesn't have that. I haven't tried other sites and was thinking maybe of getting them at a retail store? Maybe I should stick with online and only use the in-person doctors for getting a prescription?

I remember when I finally got smart a few years ago, I went to Costco (before I moved back to VA) and got a prescription. I remember asking online people what I needed and they told me to make sure to get the PD (pupil distance) since that is casually 'left off' of prescriptions. After a hassle, I got someone to get it for me and I've been getting glasses for a lot cheaper lol.

Basically I'm looking for some nice Armani frames or equivalent with transition lenses (that turn to sunglasses outside), with the lightest lenses and fit my prescription.

[sullyguy]

Originally Posted by themommy

I've always seen an independent ophthalmologist (as in, an independent medical practice not associated with an eyewear store).

Yeah, that's what we do - for some reason we use Oshinsky about 25 miles from where we live (he''s in Falls Church or something like that). Then we just take his prescriptions to the local Walmart or equivalent. As an ophthalmologist, of course, he does more (much more) during the exams than just check prescription values.

Our insurance covers it except for co-pay.

[mikecart1]

Originally Posted by sullyguy

Yeah, that's what we do - for some reason we use Oshinsky about 25 miles from where we live (he''s in Falls Church or something like that). Then we just take his prescriptions to the local Walmart or equivalent. As an ophthalmologist, of course, he does more (much more) during the exams than just check prescription values.

Our insurance covers it except for co-pay.

Does Wal-Mart take insurance?
Do they offer brand name glasses?
How fast does it take for them to make the glasses?

Thanks. At the very least it might be a place I can try on glasses to see what looks good on me in person rather than face the pressure at an eyeglass retailer that will follow me like I'm about to steal some frames.

[sullyguy]

Originally Posted by mikecart1

Does Wal-Mart take insurance?
Do they offer brand name glasses?
How fast does it take for them to make the glasses?

Yes, they take our vision insurance - used to be called Spectera or something like that, now called United-something-or-other. Note that the Vision insurance is NOT the insurance used at the Ophthalmologist - THAT insurance is regular PPO medical.

Yes, I believe Walmart offers name brand glasses - I have never looked into what the brand is of the glasses we've picked from time to time so can't comment any further.

It takes about a week, I think - it's not clear to me that any of the huge variety of optometry joints are any different - just about everything "out of the ordinary" means they ship your order off to a lab somewhere, maybe even the SAME lab...

[mikecart1]

Originally Posted by sullyguy

Yes, they take our vision insurance - used to be called Spectera or something like that, now called United-something-or-other. Note that the Vision insurance is NOT the insurance used at the Ophthalmologist - THAT insurance is regular PPO medical.

Yes, I believe Walmart offers name brand glasses - I have never looked into what the brand is of the glasses we've picked from time to time so can't comment any further.

It takes about a week, I think - it's not clear to me that any of the huge variety of optometry joints are any different - just about everything "out of the ordinary" means they ship your order off to a lab somewhere, maybe even the SAME lab...

I have that United Heathcare version also. I will have to check out Walmart this week or something. Thanks for info.

[metclubin]

I got to Mclean Eyecare Center since 2007 and see Dr. Goldberg. He is the best optometrist I've ever seen in my life. He is very patient and performs a thorough eye exam. I go for contacts and always gave me the best fit.
McLEAN EYECARE CENTER

Check out his reviews in Yelp too.